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Ameresco Completes Energy Efficiency Makeover for Southern Montana School District

Published Date:

Wednesday, Jan 22, 2014

Energy efficiency leader upgraded HVAC systems at Fromberg High School and Elementary School improving air quality and creating a more comfortable learning environment

FRAMINGHAM, MA and FROMBERG, MT– January 22, 2014 –Ameresco, Inc., (NYSE:AMRC), a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy company, announced today that it has completed work with Fromberg School District #6 in southern Montana renovating Fromberg High School and Fromberg Elementary Schools’ heating and ventilation systems. The $1.3 million project, which commenced last spring, covered over 32,000 square feet with energy efficient upgrades and addressed the schools’ time-critical infrastructure needs.

“We are proud of the partnership we have developed with Ameresco, whose team of local experts understood our sense of urgency and were able to work quickly with us to determine the best solutions to enhance our schools without putting our tight budget under even more stress,” said Teri Harris, Superintendent, Fromberg School District. “By holding public meetings and working closely with the community, we came up with a plan to enhance our HVAC system, making it significantly more energy efficient. Now with the completion of the project, we have the added benefit of a more comfortable and conducive learning environment for our students and staff.”

Ameresco was responsible for managing the design, development and construction of the comprehensive project. The wide-range of infrastructure improvements included: the removal of the hazardous materials, upgrades and replacement of the boiler, domestic water heater and unit ventilators, as well as the installation of variable speed pumping, temperature control system and ventilation exhaust systems. With the completion of the project, the upgrades are expected to result in greater ventilation, reduced operational costs and better control of temperature and indoor air quality.

“Ameresco is excited to have completed this time-sensitive project with the School District, especially given their HVAC systems were at the end of life expectancy, and were in need of significant improvement before the winter heating season,” said Louis P. Maltezos, Executive Vice President, Ameresco. “Working directly with the Fromberg School District #6 through community meetings, as well as for the design and construction phase of this project, our local Montana Ameresco team was committed to completing the critical upgrades in a very short timeframe to ensure the comfort and safety of everyone at the schools particularly given the impending weather.”

Ameresco has a long history of partnering with counties, schools, municipalities and commercial entities to improve energy infrastructure and install renewable energy technologies throughout North America. Recent projects managed by Ameresco’s local team in the Helena, Montana office include a $1.6 million Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) with Lewis and Clark County and a $3.2 million ESPC with the Kalispell School District. Both projects required critical energy efficiency and infrastructure upgrades that are guaranteed to decrease annual energy and operations costs, but are budget-neutral and will be repaid through energy savings over the contract term.

About Fromberg School District, Fromberg, MTFromberg Public School District #6 is a small K-12 public school serving 120 students in a rural community 35 miles from Billings, MT. The community is very supportive of education and the Fromberg School as evidenced by their support of the heating and ventilation project. The mission of the school district is to provide a safe, supportive learning environment with opportunities for each student to develop the skills and knowledge to become a responsible, successful citizen, making learning an essential lifelong process. Their vision is "Education for all: today, tomorrow, together!"

About Ameresco, Inc. Founded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) is a leading independent provider of comprehensive services, energy efficiency, infrastructure upgrades, asset sustainability and renewable energy solutions for facilities throughout North America. Ameresco’s services include upgrades to a facility’s energy infrastructure and the development, construction and operation of renewable energy plants. Ameresco has successfully completed energy saving, environmentally responsible projects with federal, state and local governments, healthcare and educational institutions, housing authorities, and commercial and industrial customers. With its corporate headquarters in Framingham, MA, Ameresco provides local expertise through its 70 offices in 33 states, five Canadian provinces and the United Kingdom. Ameresco has more than 900 employees. For more information, visit www.ameresco.com.